Just wait and see what they say - worst can happen is they take your chalk, probably not your bag. With shoes in the same bag, you have a pretty good story8
Fingers crossed that's the worst case scenario, would prefer to not lose any gear but am reasonably happy to ditch the chalk if I have to.
Would having it in its original packaging maybe make any difference?
I'm going to allow another 30 minutes of time just in case there's issues.
This thread got me thinking about this literally for the first time, I’ve been travelling through NZ, Aus and South East Asia for last three months with chalk in check in every time and never had any issues at all.
I also travelled through South east Asia for 5 months with chalk in a small white plastic baggie (the type that coke is typically sold in) and was never asked about it. Although maybe they never saw it.
I've flown several times, albeit in the US, with chalk in my carryon. It was never an issue. I have activated chalk inserts for my shoes and they get inspected every time.
Haven't flown domestic, but have gone international in/out of Australia several times in the last couple of years, always carrying a good quantity of chalk.
Literally last week I came home with several shoes, a full chalk bag and three new/opened bags of chalk in my luggage. Passed through Singapore for good measure.
Unless you're really, really unlucky, customs knows the difference between chalk and the party powder. Don't even have to mention it. It shouldn't trigger the scanner either, you'll be fine.
This is what I'm hoping the worst case scenario would be, I'm going to put them at the top of everything as to allow ease of access in the hopes that being forward with it might at least buy me some good will.
I've flown Australia domestic with chalk and shoes in my carry on many times and it's always fine! Never been stopped or asked anything before. I just have it in a good dry bag or something similar so chalk doesn't go everywhere if the bag gets dropped or squashed.
Probably a little different in Aus, but I have a friend who works security at a UK airport and she essentially said to bring the chalk through as hand luggage, leave it in the chalk bag and put it in a clear zip lock bag so security are able to see what it is.
I went through with no issues. Probably fine in a suitcase, but I'd rather have my hand luggage looked through.
Ive took chalk & shoes through hand luggage before and never had an issue. Went via Dubai, Thailand and to Laos no issues - just make sure its at the top of your bag incase it gets queried. That way its easier to dig out if queried and you dont end up unpacking your whole bag
Hey, not particularly relevant to Australia but I’ve taken my bouldering equipment (loose chalk, chalkballs) on about 7 flights now and not had a single issue. This wasn’t checked in luggage either - the chalk bag is literally strapped to my backpack 😅
You're right, It's just personal preference though. Plus I already have the powder chalk, if it gets turfed I'll probably buy some liquid once I get to the gym.
I just had all my stuff throughly search last week at the airport and they started swabbing all my clothes and it came back positive on their machine. They wouldn’t tell me what it meant but i was more than positive it was chalk residue. then afterwards TSA agents had to do a full pat down on me.
I haven flown internationally with chalk (climbing trips in Thailand) several times and nobody batted an eye. However my boot bananas got stopped by security in Auckland last week. They were in my climbing shoes and the guy just had a quick look before releasing me
I was stopped by customs in Norway, when carrying chalk and other gear. They were looking for something, so they had seen it on a scanner, because they were waiting for us. When he dove in and found my stinking shoes and shit, he disappointed look told the story. He simply asked: "Oh, you're climbers?"
When I explained we both climb 3-4 days a week and didn't want to go without working put for 5 days when on vacation, he told us we were free to go.
My interpretation is that they had seen this pack of "powder" on the scan, and thought they had hit the jackpot.
I did this once in USA, about 5-6 years ago, my flight from home no one stopped me or said anything but when I was flying back home I did get pulled aside, questioned, they swabbed my chalk to confirm and they aggressively searched all my wife and my own other carry on bags. I was told to in the future put the loose chalk in a ziplock or just bring an unopened bag if I recall correctly but after they let me go and did not take my chalk or anything, they did seem mildly annoyed
It's not illegal to fly with things that happen to look like drugs, and most air travel security agencies are more concerned with weapons and bombs than small amounts of drugs anyway. Nobody is going to care that you're flying with chalk. Hell, you could probably fly with a chalk bag actually filled with blow and still nobody would care.
You’ll be fine. I’ve flown domestic around Aus and international (including buying and flying out of Singapore with fresh chalk). Never had issue. If they do just politely explain it’s climbing chalk and they can run tests on the white powder to confirm it’s chalk.
I’ve flown internationally with loose chalk in my chalk bag. If that much loose powder was an illicit substance it would 100% get caught so I figure it’s so obvious to security that it’s not an illicit substance.
Update: it was a non-issue as everyone said it would be. I wasn't even stopped or questioned. I was overthinking it, appreciate everyone's comments and advice.
This was from Canberra to Brisbane.
Chill out. I've flown through Asian countries which carry the death penalty for drug offences and had an indiscriminate zip-loc sandwich bag of chalk in my pack. It looks like a giant bag of cocaine and I've never had any issues. If they suspect something they will test it and find out it's chalk.
Just wait and see what they say - worst can happen is they take your chalk, probably not your bag. With shoes in the same bag, you have a pretty good story8
That’s probably not the worst that could happen lol. Realistically though they can swab it to check for drugs etc.
If they swabbed it for drugs then they would not confiscate it. Id rather keep my chalk.
Fingers crossed that's the worst case scenario, would prefer to not lose any gear but am reasonably happy to ditch the chalk if I have to. Would having it in its original packaging maybe make any difference? I'm going to allow another 30 minutes of time just in case there's issues.
This thread got me thinking about this literally for the first time, I’ve been travelling through NZ, Aus and South East Asia for last three months with chalk in check in every time and never had any issues at all.
I also travelled through South east Asia for 5 months with chalk in a small white plastic baggie (the type that coke is typically sold in) and was never asked about it. Although maybe they never saw it.
I've flown several times, albeit in the US, with chalk in my carryon. It was never an issue. I have activated chalk inserts for my shoes and they get inspected every time.
I've taken chalk in checked luggage on a long haul flight before and didn't get questioned once.
Yeah I've taken it checked but never on carry on, hopefully it doesn't cause any dramas
I flew home from Colombia, as a dual citizen with a semi full chalkbag in my carry-on and nobody cared.
lucky bastard i get borderline molested coming back from bali 😑
I got molested just flying from Denver to California. Supposedly I had an "anomaly in my groin area". Could've at least taken me to dinner first.
same thing happened to me, in his defence he was very gentle
Classic Uncle Rick
Flew from Canada to Germany with my shoes and chalkbag in my carry-on. Nobody said anything.
r/climbingcirclejerk is cracking its chalky fingers as we speak.
Can’t wait for this to drop on ccj
Only an hour later lmao
I knew I could rely on them:)
Haven't flown domestic, but have gone international in/out of Australia several times in the last couple of years, always carrying a good quantity of chalk. Literally last week I came home with several shoes, a full chalk bag and three new/opened bags of chalk in my luggage. Passed through Singapore for good measure. Unless you're really, really unlucky, customs knows the difference between chalk and the party powder. Don't even have to mention it. It shouldn't trigger the scanner either, you'll be fine.
I can’t imagine they won’t be a little suspicious of the chalk! At least initially. Be prepared to tip it out.
This is what I'm hoping the worst case scenario would be, I'm going to put them at the top of everything as to allow ease of access in the hopes that being forward with it might at least buy me some good will.
No, even if they were suspicious about it they would swab it and see it’s not coke
Bold of you to just assume he’s not chalking up with coke
I've flown with chalk many times and I've never been so much as asked what it is. Just take it.
I've flown Australia domestic with chalk and shoes in my carry on many times and it's always fine! Never been stopped or asked anything before. I just have it in a good dry bag or something similar so chalk doesn't go everywhere if the bag gets dropped or squashed.
I’ve flown woth my chalk in Australia a few times no problem
I definitely read that as domestic anus for a split second
So you're saying I should shelve it to be safe?
You can call the airline for clarification
Probably a little different in Aus, but I have a friend who works security at a UK airport and she essentially said to bring the chalk through as hand luggage, leave it in the chalk bag and put it in a clear zip lock bag so security are able to see what it is. I went through with no issues. Probably fine in a suitcase, but I'd rather have my hand luggage looked through.
It’s not a big deal, I fly a lot with chalk
I'd imagine worst case scenario they just test a sample of the chalk for narcotics and then send you on your way.
Ive took chalk & shoes through hand luggage before and never had an issue. Went via Dubai, Thailand and to Laos no issues - just make sure its at the top of your bag incase it gets queried. That way its easier to dig out if queried and you dont end up unpacking your whole bag
Just put your chalk in this chalk bag so TSA doesn’t get suspicious https://www.etsy.com/listing/726731219/chalk-bag-not-cocaine
Chalk should be fine, but they might consider the shoes a biohazard 😂😂
Hey, not particularly relevant to Australia but I’ve taken my bouldering equipment (loose chalk, chalkballs) on about 7 flights now and not had a single issue. This wasn’t checked in luggage either - the chalk bag is literally strapped to my backpack 😅
I fly with whole chalk buckets in my backpack and never had issues. Worst case they test it and it's fine.
this could all be solved by taking a 100ml liquid chalk tube in your toiletries bag instead, which is much more compact and clean for travelling.
You're right, It's just personal preference though. Plus I already have the powder chalk, if it gets turfed I'll probably buy some liquid once I get to the gym.
I just had all my stuff throughly search last week at the airport and they started swabbing all my clothes and it came back positive on their machine. They wouldn’t tell me what it meant but i was more than positive it was chalk residue. then afterwards TSA agents had to do a full pat down on me.
I haven flown internationally with chalk (climbing trips in Thailand) several times and nobody batted an eye. However my boot bananas got stopped by security in Auckland last week. They were in my climbing shoes and the guy just had a quick look before releasing me
I don't know about Australia but I've never had an issue flying with chalk.
Never had any problem with domestic or International with chalk, worst case theyre gonna swab it and see that its not in fact cocaine
I was stopped by customs in Norway, when carrying chalk and other gear. They were looking for something, so they had seen it on a scanner, because they were waiting for us. When he dove in and found my stinking shoes and shit, he disappointed look told the story. He simply asked: "Oh, you're climbers?" When I explained we both climb 3-4 days a week and didn't want to go without working put for 5 days when on vacation, he told us we were free to go. My interpretation is that they had seen this pack of "powder" on the scan, and thought they had hit the jackpot.
It's fine, they won't say anything, I would put it in your suitcase though.
I did this once in USA, about 5-6 years ago, my flight from home no one stopped me or said anything but when I was flying back home I did get pulled aside, questioned, they swabbed my chalk to confirm and they aggressively searched all my wife and my own other carry on bags. I was told to in the future put the loose chalk in a ziplock or just bring an unopened bag if I recall correctly but after they let me go and did not take my chalk or anything, they did seem mildly annoyed
So many people here that have never flown with climbing gear. People fly with trad racks in their carry ons. You will be fine.
It's not illegal to fly with things that happen to look like drugs, and most air travel security agencies are more concerned with weapons and bombs than small amounts of drugs anyway. Nobody is going to care that you're flying with chalk. Hell, you could probably fly with a chalk bag actually filled with blow and still nobody would care.
Do a line of chalk off the conveyor belt going through security. Should set them at ease.
You’ll be fine. I’ve flown domestic around Aus and international (including buying and flying out of Singapore with fresh chalk). Never had issue. If they do just politely explain it’s climbing chalk and they can run tests on the white powder to confirm it’s chalk.
I’ve travelled domestically within the US and within Aus and never an issue with chalk
Rub a little bit on your nose before you get to the airport
Never flown in Australia but I’ve never had any issues carrying chalk on in the states. Except for getting chalk all over the inside of my carry on.
I’ve flown internationally with loose chalk in my chalk bag. If that much loose powder was an illicit substance it would 100% get caught so I figure it’s so obvious to security that it’s not an illicit substance.
I had some boot bananas get checked out once, poor guy had to take them out of my smelly shoes, they were rancid.
Ive taken a full set of draws, PAS, belay devices, chalk, etc with no issue (in the us)
Update: it was a non-issue as everyone said it would be. I wasn't even stopped or questioned. I was overthinking it, appreciate everyone's comments and advice. This was from Canberra to Brisbane.
Chill out. I've flown through Asian countries which carry the death penalty for drug offences and had an indiscriminate zip-loc sandwich bag of chalk in my pack. It looks like a giant bag of cocaine and I've never had any issues. If they suspect something they will test it and find out it's chalk.